Following two years of discussion, Elon Town Council voted to close Aspen Avenue to vehicular traffic.

Aspen Avenue

At the previous meeting on June 24, the town council asked the town staff — which consists of town manager, Richard Rodener; planning director, Lori Oakley; and town attorney, Bob Hagemann — to bring back options for how to proceed with closing Aspen Avenue. 

The council closed public hearing in regard to Aspen Avenue following the open forum at the previous council meeting, where an Elon citizen exchanged negative words with a Gibsonville citizen regarding the issue. 

“We are neighbors, we should be friendly. You don't have to be friends and you don't have to agree. You have the right to say whatever you want, but I just ask that you be simple and respectful,” Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe said. “In a time like today, more than ever, we need to find what unites us rather than what divides us.”

The town staff presented four possible solutions to the town council, including closing the street permanently; closing the street to vehicular traffic only; closing the street for a period of time and reopening it with a proposal for a new street design by Owen Parks developer Matthew Kirkpatrick; or reopening it right away using another proposed design from Kirkpatrick, who was not in attendance at the meeting.

Kirkpatrick’s proposed design includes opening Aspen Avenue to vehicular traffic and connecting Ashley Woods to the Owen Parks development. The design also included building a double sidewalk to facilitate pedestrian traffic into the two neighborhoods.

Hagemann explained that this ordinance will close the street to all vehicular traffic – which includes automobiles, golf carts, low emission vehicles and other motorized vehicles – but will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

The council unanimously voted to close Aspen Avenue to vehicular traffic after listening to the options listed by town staff. 

Council member Stephanie Bourland said she was relieved to finally reach a conclusion. 

“I think it was the best decision for the neighbors and for the town of Elon,” Bourland said. “I do appreciate all the citizens that came out to voice their opinions on both sides.”

Noise Ordinance

The council also discussed proposed changes to Elon’s town noise ordinance, presented by Elon Chief of Police Kelly Blackwelder, regarding residential neighborhoods and vehicles. 

“I think we both agree that while this is a rough draft, it’s noted how comprehensive these changes are,” Blackwelder said. “We're going from a one-page noise ordinance, and looking at potentially adding nine other pages.”

Proposed changes are still in the early stages of development before the council can make a decision of the ordinance. 

“Moving forward, there's still a lot of work ahead of us,” Blackwelder said.

The current noise ordinance in the town of Elon states that a noise violation is a fine and a misdemeanor charge. Blackwelder proposed a potential threshold for the noise ordinance and a progressive fining system. 

After presenting the proposed changes, the council aims to reclass a noise violation as a civil violation with a fine. Fines would increase upon the second violation and the charge would turn into a misdemeanor after the third. These changes and modifications will be presented for a vote at the next town council meeting on Aug. 13. 

Sharpe said she hopes this will create respect between Elon University students and Elon residents.

“For me, it's always about being a good neighbor, and I think that goes both ways,” Sharpe said. “If you know that there are students living next to you or nearby, take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be afraid to share what your expectations are for your way of life. When students are living among full-time residents, they need to understand that there is a quality of life that needs to be upheld. We want them to have a great time as college students, but there are expectations when you live in a neighborhood, and what better time to learn than during college.”

Sharpe also said she does not want Elon students or citizens to be held back from their futures because of one noise violation. 

“At the same time, I don't want for someone to be prevented from getting a future job because they were loud in college,” Sharpe said.

New Business

Lastly, the council unanimously approved spending $322,181.90 on fixing public roads and sidewalks throughout the town of Elon. The state is funding $225,000 through the Powell Bill, which allocates funding to maintain public roads and sidewalks. Waugh Asphalt will be working on the project, which includes the Forestview Cul-de-sac, Trinity Drive and portions of Truitt Drive and Mill Pointe Way. The project is set to start in August 2024.